Diament set up his own UK record label in December 2004 called Paper and Glue releasing a series of limited edition Temposhark singles, the first of which was their critically acclaimed EP Neon Question Mark.
Temposhark quickly collaborated with singer Imogen Heap (Frou Frou), received club remixes from electro pioneers including Cursor Miner, Mark Moore (S'Express), Melnyk, Metronomy, Avril (FCommunications), Carmen Rizzo and Crispin J Glover as well as hip-hop crew Border Crossing, Masashi Naka (Escalator Records, Japan), Akira the Don and electropunk duo Noblesse Oblige. The band have also written two short film soundtracks for fine artist Justine Pearsall.
A second EP 'Invisible Ink/Little White Lie' came out in May 2005 which attracted many new admirers including acclaimed producer Guy Sigsworth, best known for his work with Madonna, Björk and Britney Spears. Sigsworth went on to produce Temposhark's first nationwide released UK single It's Better To Have Loved, which came out as a limited edition CD on December 12th 2005. All of these early Temposhark limited edition EPs came in deluxe packaging helping to create a buzz around the band in creative circles and with their fanbase. The band themselves were never pictured on the sleeves instead choosing striking original art images and stylish die-cut record sleeves.
In 2005, Diament said that his band name was thought up when he "woke up in the midst of a dream one night, at like 4am, and just said the word Temposhark. So it came from my subconscious I guess. Honestly it was that simple. I wanted a name that sounded strong. I liked the idea that music could be a weapon. Something powerful.."
In May 2006 Temposhark released their second nationwide single Joy on limited edition CD and 7” vinyl and the band set out on a UK tour visiting towns all over the UK. These dates included a very high profile London show at Tate Britain on Fri May 5th and Carling Academy Islington on Sat May 20th. Temposhark gained many new fans when Joy was featured on the front homepage of iTunes UK and in iTunes’ weekly newsletter.
In 2007, Temposhark toured the USA with their full band as well as completing their debut album, to be released in March 2008.
Temposhark's debut album The Invisible Line will be released in Spring 2008 in both UK and USA/Canada. It was produced and recorded in London by rising producer Sean McGhee with two tracks produced by Guy Sigsworth. The album includes the song Blame, which was co-written with legendary producer Youth aka Martin Glover from Killing Joke as well as a duet with Imogen Heap called Not That Big.
On March 15th 2007 at the South by Southwest 2007 festival, Temposhark announced on stage that their debut album was to be called The Invisible Line. Singer Robert Diament has said that the album title was inspired by controversial British artist Tracey Emin from passages in her books Exploration Of The Soul (1994) and Strangeland (2005).
A behind-the-scenes video of Temposhark recording at London's RAK Studios was released on YouTube.com on May 26th 2007. The video was synced up to the full album version of the Temposhark song Blame. This is thought to be the first preview of the newly recorded album version of the song.
In October 2007, Temposhark's song Blame, taken from their forthcoming album, was nominated in the Best International category at the Ontario Independent Music Awards which take place in Toronto, Canada on November 15th 2007. Due to the album being leaked ahead of its official March 2008 release, its now been made available on iTunes in Europe, Australia and Japan.
The River
Temposhark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is for the ones they left behind
This is for the colour of a new design
This is for the lovers when their love has died
This is for the river where addiction flows
This is for the battle only hatred knows
This is for the bullet flying from my gun
This is for the mile still left to run
The beating heart that bleeds
The one that always needs
My beating heart still bleeds
How long 'til I'll be free?
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone
This is for the ship that never sailed
This is for the hammer that hit the nails
This is for the ones who thought we'd fail
This is for the bomb they found in your mail
This is for the ones who never got to know me
This is for the hope that fails when I'm lonely
This is for the struggle to turn the tables
This is for believing that you are able
The beating heart that bleeds
The one that always needs
My beating heart still bleeds
How long 'til I'll be free?
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone
Now I'm gonna be everything that I've wanted to be
Yes I'm gonna see everything that I've wanted to see
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone
You're not alone
It doesn't have to be like this
You don't have to play
It doesn't have to be like this
Don't let it go round and round and round...
The lyrics to Temposhark's song "The River" are about perseverance and holding on through difficult times. The song begins by acknowledging those who have been left behind and those who are enduring pain and heartbreak. The lyrics describe addiction and the struggle to overcome hatred and violence. Still, the song remains hopeful, insisting that we are not alone and that we can continue to fight through any obstacle.
The "beating heart that bleeds" represents the struggle and pain that we all feel at times. It is the heart that always needs and seems to endure even when it feels as though we are at our breaking point. The line "you're not alone" is a powerful reminder that even when we feel isolated, there are others who are going through similar struggles and that we can find strength from those around us.
The lines "now I'm gonna be everything that I've wanted to be, yes I'm gonna see everything that I've wanted to see" are a pledge to move forward, despite the challenges faced in life. The song encourages listeners to break free from negative cycles and not let life continue to go around in circles.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello...
Opening of the song with no specific meaning.
This is for the ones they left behind
Dedication to people who were left behind and were important.
This is for the colour of a new design
An indication for a new beginning and new ideas.
This is for the lovers when their love has died
A tribute for the lovers who were separated and their love ended.
This is for the hurt that dug deep inside
Addressing the deep hurt that one feels inside after a loss or separation.
This is for the river where addiction flows
A metaphorical reference to the addictive habits, behaviors, or patterns.
This is for the battle only hatred knows
A tribute to people who had to go through the difficult battles that only hatred brings.
This is for the bullet flying from my gun
A metaphor for the harsh words or actions that hurt others.
This is for the mile still left to run
It is a reminder that despite how far we've gone, there is still a long way to go.
The beating heart that bleeds
The literal and metaphorical pain that the heart feels when it's hurt.
The one that always needs
An acknowledgment of the fact that one always needs hope and support in dark times.
My beating heart still bleeds
The pain is still present even after everything that has been done to heal.
How long 'til I'll be free?
A question that reflects the pain and the search for freedom.
You're not alone
A message of hope and assurance to people that they are not alone in their struggles.
This is for the ship that never sailed
The pain of missed opportunities and the regret that follows.
This is for the hammer that hit the nails
The pain of the actions that hurt others and cause them pain.
This is for the ones who thought we'd fail
A tribute to the people who doubted and thought we'd never succeed.
This is for the bomb they found in your mail
Metaphor for unexpected and painful surprises in life.
This is for the ones who never got to know me
The regret of not being able to share oneself with the people who mattered.
This is for the hope that fails when I'm lonely
The hopelessness and loneliness that come when one is struggling.
This is for the struggle to turn the tables
The struggle to change the situation and take control of one's life.
This is for believing that you are able
The belief in oneself and the strength to overcome the odds.
Now I'm gonna be everything that I've wanted to be
The resolution to take control of one's life and become the best version of oneself.
Yes I'm gonna see everything that I've wanted to see
The determination to fulfill one's dreams and aspirations.
It doesn't have to be like this
A message of hope that things can and will change.
You don't have to play
Encouraging people to not participate in negative cycles and to create their own paths.
Don't let it go round and round and round...
A call to break the negative cycles and patterns and to create something new.
Contributed by Hudson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luke Busby
Luke here from former band Temposhark...
Don't suppose you have our very first release 'Play With The Minute' knocking about do you? I cant find it anywhere on my original hard drives!
Thanks. X